Manu in the morning: Ginobili says Spurs thrive on early workouts

One of the underrated reasons for the Spurs’ fast 8-1 start might be their early workouts.

Unlike last season when most workouts took place in the afternoon, the Spurs are working earlier in the day with starts of most non-gameday practices at 11 a.m.

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili couldn’t be happier — and it’s not just because he’s getting up earlier taking care of his infant twin sons, Dante and Nicola.

The earlier routine has helped the Spurs jump to a faster start than last season. The late workouts were never blamed, but the team’s 4-6 start left Gregg Popovich looking to distance himself from the later workouts.

“Those are gone, luckily,” Ginobili said. “It was a one-year experiment that didn’t work out so we are back to the old Spurs morning practices. I’m kind of glad.”

Ginobili said he had trouble maintaining his playing weight last season with the early-afternoon practices interrupting his usual routine of having his biggest meal at midday.

“When we were practicing in the early afternoon, I couldn’t have a big lunch,” Ginobili said. “I was sleeping later and I wasn’t having breakfast and I lost about 10 pounds in two months. Then, I bounced back. It was a big change and I didn’t adjust that well.”

Moving the time back to the morning has been popular, according to Ginobili, who said he doesn’t expect any of his teammates complaining about the early work.

“(If anybody did), he would get in trouble,” Ginobili said, chuckling. “I think we’re going to stick with the mornings.”